Freedom on ice
<p>Tim Hogan speeds along the ice and prepares to make a turn around the back side of the goal at Frontier Ice Arena during a sled hockey practice Saturday, Jan. 19.</p>
<p>Michelle Porter watches as the hockey teams leave from their game that preceded the sled hockey team's practice Saturday, Jan. 19 at Frontier Ice Arena in Coeur d'Alene.</p>
<p>Gary Duvall has a laugh as he falls over in his sled in what he calls a "well performed stopping maneuver" during a practice session.</p>
<p>Fred Margiotta, left, blocks the goal as he tries to reject a rush on the net by Don Waddell.</p>
<p>Tom McTevia propels himself along the ice with specially-made hockey sticks that have metal cleats on the handle to help grip the ice.</p>
<p>Tim Hogan secures his helmet after being secured in his sled before practice.</p>
When Gary Duvall needs an escape from his wheelchair and disability, he turns to the ice.
The Coeur d'Alene man is a member of the fledgling Inland Northwest Disabled Veterans Sports Association's sled hockey team.
"Activity is the biggest thing that helps us get over the problems we have," said Duvall, who was injured in Vietnam.
"When I get out on the ice, I forget about my disability. It helps me achieve, and it keeps me wanting to do it more."
The 12 players are from throughout the region and their ages range from 25 to 66. Most, but not all, are veterans, suffering from various injuries.
Participants love the exercise, camaraderie and competition.
"It's a blast," said Don Waddell, 64, of Coeur d'Alene, a Vietnam-era veteran who has been in a wheelchair for nearly 40 years. "It was something new to try and a different way to get out.
"During the winter, the world closes in on the wheelchair world. The things we can do are limited because of the snow. This is another way to go out and enjoy ourselves. It's good exercise, and it's good to get together with people who have similar situations as me."
Sled hockey is similar to regular hockey, except the participants are in aluminum sleds with seats that are propelled by using two hockey sticks. It requires a lot of upper body strength and maintaining your balance can be tricky, Duvall said.
"Starting out is tough," he said. "You fall a lot."
There are five players and one goalie on the ice for each team.
"It can get physical," Duvall said. "We have that will to fight it out. That's part of what hockey is about."
Michelle Porter, a 41-year-old from Athol who is a paraplegic, is a non-veteran and the lone female on the team.
After she tried sled hockey the first time, she was reluctant to hit the ice again. The support, she said, brought her back.
"After doing it the first time, I thought that maybe it wasn't the sport for me," Porter said. "But I went down another time to just watch and they wouldn't take 'no' for an answer."
Porter is glad she gave it a second chance.
"The guys have made me feel comfortable and they've made me a lot tougher," she said. "When somebody falls, there's always another player there to help you up. When you fall, you bond."
The team meets four times a month for practice - twice on the ice at Frontier Ice Arena and twice for "dryland" sessions to learn tactics, exercises, nutrition, balance, agility and rules.
It is nearing the end of a 12-week program in which a $25,000 federal Olympics grant funded the equipment, ice time and two public demonstration days.
"We hope to continue playing at the end of the 12 weeks and play other teams in the region," said Duvall, who pursued and founded the team after playing sled hockey at the Veterans Winter Games.
Co-coach Mark Jones said watching the participants have the courage to get out of their comfort zones and seeing the smiles is an inspiration.
"They're pioneers in this sport," said Jones, adding that only a few other programs are established in the Northwest. "Their motivation and personal desire is enhancing their health, sled hockey opportunity and life outlook."